Trialist Cody McDonald has left Cambridge United - but the U's are hoping to get the striker back on a short term deal.

The former Norwich, Coventry, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon frontman was one of a number of free agents U's boss Joe Dunne was running the rule over while in the middle of an injury crisis.

With the injuries clearing up, the need for more bodies is not as urgent as a few weeks ago, but Dunne is still keen to tie up a deal for McDonald if he can prove his fitness.

"We've had discussion with Cody, we set a plan and spoke to him before the last home game," said Dunne. "We put a plan in place that he'd have another good week's training because he's been training well, we'd have a short term thing, and if he continued to prove his fitness we could kick on.

"We looked at a structure where we could have a situation which would also benefit himself for January. From Cody's point of view he probably wants something a little more long term. He hasn't been in this last week, we've given him time to think.

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"He'll speak to his representatives and we'll see where we can go with it, because we want to progress it in one way and they have every right to want to progress it a different way.

"We're trying to find a solution which gives not only Cody but also us an opportunity, because with a little bit more time and fitness, and maybe some little bits of game time, it would be good for us and for him.

"That's where we are at the moment. He's not with us, but it's something we haven't put to bed yet. He's been great since he's been here and we're looking for something which in the short term can help both parties."

Meanwhile, U's head of football Ben Strang added: "We're still talking to Cody and seeing if anything can be done. The main sticking point for him is security for his family.

"We'll see if we can come to a mutual agreement, but if we can't we won't do anything we're uncomfortable with. It needs to be right for him, and we need to get our recruitment right in that area. He ticks all the boxes, but it remains to be seen."